The Iron Ring's Ring Pillow

Short story 3500 characters

Synopsis
The engagement ring was made of iron. Two craftsmen set out to make a ring pillow to match it. They go through trial and error to create it.

“Is this a gift for someone?”
“Yes. Well... I’m thinking of proposing to a colleague.”

It was a strange request. He asked for a ring case that would suit an iron ring. Argent had been a decorative craftsman for fourteen years, and it was his first such request. The client was a young male wizard. In this magic city of Lavenda, that was not an uncommon profession. When asked, he said it was an engagement ring. Engagement rings are usually made of silver or gold. Perhaps he was very short on money? Still, a request is a request. Since he had no other work scheduled for a while, Argent decided to accept it.

First, he observed the iron ring. It was a dull, dark, hexagonal ring. It had likely been coated in animal oil and heated to form an oxide film. It was the season of evening showers. Since rain is slightly acidic, iron would easily rust if it got wet even a little. That must be the reason for the coating. However, it didn't look like an engagement ring at all. Yet, strangely, it was a charming ring.

What kind of case would suit this ring? If the case had elaborate decorations, the ring inside would look shabby. In that case, wood would be better than metal. Perhaps ebony, which is similarly hard, would be good. Argent took a small ebony box from the storage shelf. As he thought, it suited it well. But still, this was too plain and wouldn't pass as an engagement ring. In that case, he would have to create a sense of glamour with the ring pillow inside the box. When the plain box is opened, the iron ring wrapped in a vibrant ring pillow appears. That would be a nice touch.

The next day, Argent went to the market in the craftsmen's district to look for fabric for the ring pillow. In the fabric craftsmen's market, colorful cloths were stretched overhead as sunshades, and fabrics were piled high in the stalls. A feature of this place was that there were many female customers as well as craftsmen. Argent pushed through the crowd and pushed open a black door in a secluded alley.

The stone-built shop was dim and pleasantly cool. Fabric dislikes sunlight. That is why shops dealing in high-quality fabrics are located deep in the alleys. However, the shop was not pitch black. Soft light shone onto the table in the center of the shop from the frosted glass in the ceiling. That is where they check the color of the fabric. Every time he saw such craftsmanship, Argent's heart would dance a little.

“Welcome, Argent. Are you looking for something?”
“It’s been a while, Iles. Actually...”

Iles listened to Argent's story while shaking her bundled silver hair. This petite, elderly woman was a fabric merchant who had been taking care of him since he opened his shop. But she didn't just do business. Her dyeing skills were top-notch, and she was respected even by the weaving craftsmen. As proof, the shop was lined with intricately woven fabrics the likes of which he had never seen. Argent briefly told her about the iron ring.

“It’s about this ring.”
“My, that’s a rugged ring. You’re using this as an engagement ring?”

Iles held the ring and the ebony box in both hands and compared them.

“Since the ring is rugged, I think a patterned fabric with flowers would be good for the ring pillow, but what do you think, Iles?”
“That’s true. But because it’s simple, wouldn't it be better to let the fabric material play a supporting role?”
“Indeed. The star is the ring, after all.”
“However, it is a lucky charm. I understand what you’re saying, too. For now, shall I bring out some fabrics that might match? You should take a look around, too.”

For the next few hours, the two pulled out fabrics from all over the shop and considered the best ones. They pitted their philosophies against each other, nodded, and continued to debate, asking, “How about this?” Within a limited time, they did not give up and aimed for the best. They were that kind of craftsman.

When the sun began to set, they narrowed it down to the fabrics they each recommended. Argent chose a gorgeous fabric with a pattern of dayflower blue. Iles chose a glossy red velvet fabric.

“The dayflower blue is gorgeous and elegant.”
“The vibrant red expresses the passion of a proposal.”

Iles cut each fabric to the size of the ring pillow. Finally, they compared them in a form close to the finished product. That is the craftsman's way.

The dayflower blue made the rugged iron ring look gorgeous. The red velvet made the heavy iron ring look even more profound. The two compared them, swapping the two many times.

“This is it.”
“I think it’s this one.”

The two looked in silence at the iron ring resting on the vibrant red.

◆

On the day of the handover, Eirace came to Arjan's shop. She was there to see the finished ring pillow. Arjan looked as if he had stayed up all night, but his face was that of a craftsman who had just completed a major job. When Arjan handed the ebony box to Eirace, she opened the lid and examined it thoroughly.

Good work.

Eirace said only that, then closed the lid of the box. Arjan knew that was the highest praise. Eirace's aesthetic eye was genuine. If there was even the slightest flaw, she would point it out. In fact, until now, Arjan's work had never been praised without reservation.

This should satisfy the client, right?
Yes. I did everything I could.

A while later, the young mage arrived. Arjan presented the ebony box containing the ring with a solemn expression. The mage opened it, his eyes widening at the vibrant red, and said:

Amazing, it's perfect for her.
Are you pleased with it? I do have more ornate ring pillows, but...
No, I think she will love this red as well. Is this enough for the payment?
Yes, as promised. Thank you.

The mage took the ebony box, and as he reached for the exit door, he turned back and said:

I'm going to propose now. I think she's at the tavern.
Good luck.

Arjan bowed deeply and saw the iron ring off. Then, as if replacing him, Eirace entered.

Ms. Eirace, were you watching?
I was curious. More importantly, come on, let's go.
Where to?
To see the end of the story, of course. They're doing it at the tavern, right?
Are you going to follow the customers...

Arjan locked the shop and hurried in the direction the mage had gone.

◆

The young mage was easy to find. After following him for a while, he entered a tavern in the adventurer's district. Arjan and Eirace followed. The two sat at a corner table so as not to stand out. The mage headed to a seat in the back. He spoke to a red-haired female warrior.

The mage was saying something to the red-haired warrior. It was too far to hear clearly, but he was surely proposing right now. The red-haired warrior was listening with a mug in one hand. Cheers erupted from the surrounding tables.

The mage presented the small ebony box.
The female warrior opened it.

The ring pillow in the small box glowed red under the lantern light. The female warrior's red hair shone just the same. Before long, the noise faded, and everyone watched the two. The female warrior picked up the iron ring and looked at the mage. Then, she put the ring on the ring finger of her left hand. At that moment, Arjan felt a strange sensation.

When she put on the ring, the rugged iron ring seemed to be wrapped in light. Now, the red of the velvet sank into black, and all that remained was the red-haired warrior and the shining iron ring. She clenched her hand with the ring on it several times, then grabbed her sword while it was still sheathed and took a few light practice swings. Laughter rose from the surrounding tables at the sight. It seemed she was testing to see if the ring would get in the way.

The female warrior nodded with satisfaction, wrapped her thick arm around the mage's neck, and pulled him in close. Cheers erupted from all over the tavern. Only Arjan and Eirace were stunned. Because they had realized it.

The iron ring on her finger was shining now. However, it was not because the ring or the ring pillow was beautiful. It might have been because it was a moving scene. But more than that, it was because the iron ring and the female warrior were in harmony.

When the female warrior put on the ring, she wasn't looking at the beauty of the ring. What she was checking was whether the ring would get in the way. A warrior confronts enemies directly. She protects the mage in the rear guard. Anything that hinders that is evil. That is why she tested its usability. That is the duty of a warrior.

Argent and Irace exchanged a silent, self-deprecating look. Amidst the continuing cheers, the two stood up and left the tavern.

It was four years later that the two became celebrated among adventurers as master craftsmen of the magic city of Lavenda.

(End)

I tried writing a seasoned, understated story set in a fantasy world.
In these days of increasing AI generation, I aimed for a story for adults who grew up with Narou-style web novels.

■ Dialogue
"Wow! It's so fluffy!"
■ Three Topics
・Acidic
・Evening shower
・Ring pillow

▼ Submission Rules

• Submission Deadline (Optional): Thursday, June 18, 2026, 23:59

• Post with the hashtags "#ThreeDialogueStory" and "#AcidicEveningShowerRingPillow"

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